Pseudo Love

The chauffeur pulled up before a mansion. Alexa was too surprised to move so she sat still. Bryan got down and opened her door.

“Here my sweetheart” He stretched out his hand to her, smiling.

She graciously stepped out of the Rolls-Royce and gasped at the beauty of the mansion.

It was simple, yet classy and sophisticated, her exact kind of home.

It was made of glass and lights were beaming all over.

“Welcome back sir” A lady smartly dressed welcomed them, grinning from ear to ear.

She looked so pretty and her brown sleek bob bounced with each step.

“Thanks” Bryan replied coldly and walked past her with his hands curled into Alexa’s.

Her smile faded gradually. She quickly brought herself back and caught up with them.

“Welcome home buddy!” Alexa heard Charles’ voice behind her as they entered the living room.

Her eyes lit in surprise as she thought he was supposed to be in Georgia.

“Hey pretty, welcome to your abode, so glad to have you here” He said to her softly.

Bryan immediately gave him a stern look and adjusted his suit.

“Thanks” she said quietly, submerged by the beauty of the home.

The windows were large enough to welcome any ray of sun, the stairs spiraled down in a wavy line with a unique twist, the lights from the chandeliers reflected beautifully on the wall paintings.

In the centre was a vanity table and two semi circles white chairs beautifully placed.

‘Is this guy who he says he is, or he’s into some shady deals…’ She wondered in her heart, because her father also owned a winery and their house wasn’t this luxurious.

Her heels clicked away on the marbles, slowly following Bryan’s direction.

“Charles, let me know the latest report on the new branches please” Bryan told Charles.

She realised Charles was his friend and also a personal assistant.

“All right boss”

“All set?” Bryan questioned, pointing up

“All set, so I’ll see you later then” Charles replied dropping a cup of coffee he was drinking.

“Bye pretty” He waved at her

“Bye Charles” Bryan replied with a cold face, both hands in his pocket.

Charles chuckled and left.

“You’re jealous?” She asked softly after Charles left

“Why shouldn’t I be? A guy is flirting with my wife, I can’t be okay with that” Bryan replied.

“Wife? Umm… oh.. Youuu… didn’t inform us sir” That familiar voice spoke beside Alexa.

She turned and it was the lady who welcomed them in earlier.

“Oh, Lisa, I didn’t know I should take permission from you before getting married”

“No, I was just wondering how the wedding took place…. and.. ma…”

“What is it with ma?”

“She’s coming tonight”

Bryan took a deep breath

“All right. I’ll handle it” Bryan said and stretched his hands to Alexa.

“Lets go in sweetheart” He said smiling

She reached out to him and they went into the bedroom.

***

The bedroom was so clean, large and spacious. There were two large beds at different ends, covered in white bed-covers.

Shortly, Bryan’s hand left hers and his face looked unreadable.

“Welcome Alexa. I want you to know some things about me. I do not like people in my space or rearranging my things. That’s your bed over there and mine there” He said pointing to the different corners of the room, his voice void of emotion, not anger, not joy, just beige.

“The only times you’re allowed to sleep in my bed is during your fertile days. The only reason we are actors is because of a child and I’ll love us to get that as soon as possible”

“I’ll like us to relate as a couple in public, but here, it’s business and NOTHING MORE! I hope I made myself completely clear”

“Yeah, that’s fine by me” She nodded, folding her hands to her chest, not like she cared about him anyway. All she wanted was to get back at Anna, give her mum and sisters the life they deserve.

The next morning, she woke up to an empty bed beside her. She yawned and picked my phone to call her sisters if they were on their way to the airport already. Their flight was booked a day after theirs.

As she picked her phone, a paper slipped beneath. She read it and it said “Meet me at the dinning, good morning dear wife”

It felt weird and strange, but that was what she signed up for. She rose up and took a warm bath in the Jacuzzi, put on her pink body con gown with spaghetti straps, designed with flounce around the slit.

As she brushed her curly and long brunette hair, a smile found a way to latch on her lips. The smile quickly faded when she remembered it was this hair that made Clinton attracted to her.

“That gold digger!” she muttered as she walked outside the room.

“You will do no such thing Bryan!” The voice of an older woman loomed in the living room.

“Get whoever it is that’s in your house out and tell Sara the day your wedding will take place” The voice spoke again.

She also heard someone sobbing, then her curiosity rose like a wave. “What on earth is going on?”

As she proceeded to move down the stairs, she heard heels clicking up the stairs and she halted.

“Ma’am, good thing I met you here, you need to go back into the room please, then I’ll explain some things to you”. Lisa whispered, looking so worried and nervous. She held her hand and they swiftly went in.

“Bryan, you will only do as I say, come back here… Bryan!” The voice blurted ferociously.

“You can’t go out now ma’am, we have…”

The door sprung open before Lisa could continue her statement and Bryan came in. He looked a bit pleasantly surprised, she caught his eyes travel down her dress.

He took Alexa and ran down the stairs with her.

“Mum” His masculine voice vibrated through the room.

“You’ve pushed your way this far but no more” He continued.

“This is the woman I have gotten married to and neither you or anyone can take her out of my life. That is my decision and you will respect it” He said pointing a finger at his mum, emphasising each word.

The stillness in the air was heavy.

Mrs Clampett, with her eyes full of shock and surprise, gasped but no words came out of her mouth. She shot at her eyes at Alexa who shivered backwards, holding Bryan’s arm with both hands.

Her knees felt soft like she would fall at anytime, fear hugged her like a bear but everything melted when Bryan put his hands round her and his warmth swallowed up the cold air around her.

Mrs Clampett looked behind Bryan and Alexa and finally found her words. Alexa turned her neck with Mrs Clampett’s eyes and that was when she saw a man on a wheelchair behind her.

“I have never been insulted in my life, look at what your disappointing son has done!” She raged at Mr Clampett who only sighed.

“It’s high time I lived my own life, and stop being passive about everything that goes on in my life” Bryan said and swiftly left the scene with Alexa.

While they were on the stairs, a tiny but firm voice called “Bryan!”

Alexa and Bryan looked down and it was Sara, the lady Bryan’s mother wanted him to marry.

She was a pretty blonde with blue eyes and Alexa felt genuinely bad that she had to go through that.

“This is far from over” She said vehemently, her veins popping from her neck. She cleaned her tears, took her Birkin bag and left immediately.

Bryan ignored her and headed like no one spoke.

Mr Clampett said no word and his eyes were fixed on one spot.

“Are you just going to watch him leave? Won’t you do anything?”

Mrs Clampett barked at her husband. After few seconds, she left him angrily and someone rolled Mr Clampett out.

***

As Bryan and Alexa got in, Bryan left Alexa immediately. Alexa understood and went to her bed as well.

As Bryan was about speaking, his phone beeped.

“All right, bring them here” Bryan said before bringing the phone down.

“Your family have arrived, Charles will bring them here and we’ll all go to the house allocated for them” He told Alexa.

“Oh great. Thank you” Alexa replied. She was still wondering how he was so warm at the rooftop where he offered her a job and how he’s cold now that she had accepted the job.

“Men will always be men” Alexa murmured a bit loudly.

“What?” He asked

“Nothing” She replied sharply, regretting murmuring that loud.

“Don’t be mistaken about what just happened, it’s about me taking my own decision and not about you”

“I’m fully aware and okay with that” Alexa replied sharply.

“I’m also forced here because of financial gains and not because of you. By the way, I will be sleeping in your bed tonight, I guess you should understand what that means”

She said walking out of the room, banging the door rudely.